Our structure

Quakers in Britain have a complex structure made up of different meetings, groups and committees. Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is the charitable organisation which supports and works on behalf of all Quakers in Britain. Most of our work is run by volunteer members with support from BYM's paid staff.

The parts of our structure

Local meeting

For most Quakers the local meeting is their worshipping community. All meetings are different and work in slightly different ways.

Local meetings:

hold meeting for worship; organise, encourage and support worshipping groups

welcome newcomers and encourage all to be involved in the Quaker community

involve and support children and young people, and their parents

offer loving support to each other

let people in the area know about Quakers and the meeting

form links with other churches and faith communities in the area

hold business meetings about local Quaker matters

take care of premises and collect contributions on behalf of the area meeting

Area meeting

Area meetings are made up of several local Quaker meetings. Area meeting is the primary business meeting for Quakers and is also a worshipping community. Area meetings are charities and appoint trustees who work on behalf of all Quakers in the area. When a person joins Quakers, they become a member of the area meeting. Different area meetings work in slightly different ways.

Area meeting:

oversees and supports local meetings

is responsible for the list of members

appoints people to positions of responsibility (ie elders and overseers)

is responsible for Quaker marriages

records deaths

is legally responsible for owning and managing buildings, finances, and employment

sets policies, including safeguarding, and health and safety

can communicate on behalf of local Quakers with Meeting for Sufferings and Yearly Meeting

General Meeting for Scotland

General Meeting for Scotland has national responsibilities on behalf of Britain Yearly Meeting, to represent and advance the life and witness of Quakers in Scotland. It consists of all Friends in membership of the Scottish area meetings, and meets at least quarterly. More information is available in
Quaker faith & practice 5.03 (offsite link).

Meeting of Friends in Wales

Meeting of Friends in Wales has national responsibilities on behalf of Britain Yearly Meeting, to represent and advance the life and witness of Quakers within Wales. The meeting consists of all Friends who live in Wales or who are members in local meetings within Wales. More information is available in
Quaker faith & practice 5.04 (offsite link).

Young Friends General Meeting

Young Friends General Meeting is open to Quakers between the ages of eighteen and about thirty who need not be formally in membership of the Religious Society of Friends. Area meetings may appoint representatives to Young Friends General Meeting. At its meetings for business three times a year it organises a range of other events for young people. Young Friends General Meeting nominates two representatives to Meeting for Sufferings, being officers or others able to speak in its name. More information is available in Quaker faith & practice 5.08 (offsite link).

Meeting for Sufferings

Meeting for Sufferings is the standing representative body of Quakers in Britain. It meets five or six times a year and attends to the business of the Yearly Meeting through the year. Members of Meeting for Sufferings represent one of the groups that form our structures and are appointed by Yearly Meeting.

Standing committees

There are four standing committees; each accountable to Yearly Meeting. Quakers from meetings throughout Britain are appointed to serve on them. The committees determine priorities, monitor and evaluate the work within their areas of responsibility.

Yearly Meeting

Yearly Meeting is both a
gathering and an organisation. 'Yearly Meeting' is usually the name given to the gathering. 'Britain Yearly Meeting' is usually the name given to the organisation.

British Quakers hold an assembly once each year. All members can participate. Those who attend local meetings, but who are not formally members may also participate with permission. Yearly Meeting has a variety of purposes, including reflecting on current concerns; and receiving reports from Yearly Meeting Trustees, Meeting for Sufferings and committees.

Britain Yearly Meeting

Britain Yearly Meeting, the organisation, is the national body of Quakers in Britain. It is a registered charity and has trustees appointed by Yearly Meeting. All area meetings in Britain are linked to Britain Yearly Meeting. Britain Yearly Meeting Trustees are appointed by Yearly Meeting to act on its behalf as managing trustees of its work, assets and property.

Britain Yearly Meeting has a central office in London (Friends House). The organisation employs about 150 staff, who undertake work on behalf of the Yearly Meeting. The staff are overseen by Britain Yearly Meeting Trustees. Staff work within five departments and report to the Recording Clerk, who is the senior member of staff.